Suspect Sought After 4-Year-Old Shot In Asbury Park: Prosecutor

ASBURY PARK – Authorities have asked for the public's help in seeking a suspect after a 4-year-old was shot in Asbury Park on Tuesday.

The incident happened at approximately 1:35 p.m. when a 4-year-old child was shot while sitting outside the family’s home on Boston Way, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

The child was shot in the upper thigh area, breaking the femur bone. The injury is deemed serious but non-life threatening, he said.

“Enough is enough,” Gramiccioni stated. “We have a toddler who was struck and injured by a stray bullet while sitting outside her apartment in the middle of the day.

"Thankfully, all indications are that the little girl will recover," he added. "Unfortunately, though, this has not always been the case."

Gramiccioni noted that, in 2018, 10-year-old Yovanni Banos-Merino lost his life while hiding under a bed from gunfire.

"These senseless acts of violence must stop. We must do everything in our power to ensure that Monmouth County’s citizens, and their children, are safe and protected," he said. "We are requesting the public’s assistance to help bring the perpetrator to justice for this heinous and monstrous act.”

The case is being investigated by members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Asbury Park Police Department.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to call Detective William Anton of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-7443 or Asbury Park Police Detective Dillon Gourley at 1-732-774-1300.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; or by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available for iOS and Android - https://www.p3tips.com/community/index.htm).